So, I’ve been really trying to level up my hockey game lately, and I thought I’d share my journey with you all. It’s been a wild ride, full of ups and downs, but hey, that’s what makes it fun, right? I’ve been focusing on what they call the “Michigan” move. Sounds fancy, huh? Well, it kinda is.
First off, I had to get my head around what this Michigan move actually is. Turns out, it’s this crazy lacrosse-style goal where you’re behind the net, scoop the puck up, and try to slam it into the top corner. Sounds simple when you say it fast, but let me tell you, it took a while to get the hang of it.
I started by just working on my stickhandling. I mean, you can’t do a fancy move if you can’t even control the puck, right? So, I spent hours just skating around, getting a feel for the puck on my stick. Up and down the ice, back and forth, just me and the puck. I probably looked like a fool out there, but who cares? It was all about getting comfortable.
- Practice, practice, practice: I can’t stress this enough. I was out on the ice almost every day, just practicing my stickhandling.
- Watch the pros: I spent a lot of time watching videos of NHL players, trying to pick up tips and tricks. Seeing how the pros do it really helped me understand the mechanics of the move.
- Break it down: Instead of trying to do the whole move at once, I broke it down into smaller parts. First, just getting the puck on my stick behind the net, then lifting it, then trying to get it over the net.
Once I felt okay with my stickhandling, I started trying to actually lift the puck from behind the net. This was a whole new challenge. It’s not just about lifting; it’s about doing it quickly and with enough control to aim for that top corner. I fell a lot. A LOT. But each time, I got a little bit better, a little bit closer.
Then came the shooting part. Oh boy, this was tough. I was trying to get the puck up and over the net from this weird angle, all while keeping my balance. I must have missed a thousand times, but I kept at it. Slowly, I started to get the hang of the timing and the motion. It was like my body was finally starting to understand what my brain was telling it to do.
After what felt like forever, I finally did it. I scored a Michigan goal. It wasn’t in a game, just in practice, but man, it felt good. Like, really good. All those hours, all those falls, all those misses, they were all worth it for that one moment. It wasn’t perfect, mind you, but it was a start.
I also tried to join in the local high school’s hockey tryouts, but it was a disaster. Those kids are just too fast and skillful. I was nowhere near their level. But hey, I learned a lot, and also it gave me a chance to understand how weak I was.
So, what’s next? Well, I’m not stopping here. I want to keep improving, keep practicing, and maybe, just maybe, one day I’ll be able to pull off a Michigan in a real game. That’s the dream, anyway. But even if I don’t, I’m having a blast trying. And that’s what it’s all about, right?
This whole experience has taught me a lot about patience, persistence, and the importance of just showing up, even when you suck. Hockey’s a tough sport, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. And hey, if I can make even a little progress, so can you. Just keep at it, keep practicing, and most importantly, keep having fun.
